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Police: Man knocks out North Palm employee’s teeth at village park

A dispute over nature photography led to a fight Monday afternoon that knocked four teeth out of one man’s head and landed another in jail, North Palm Beach police said.

The fight broke out in Lakeside Park, along the Intracoastal Waterway north of Northlake Boulevard and east of U.S. 1. After village police broke it up, officers arrested Michael E. Cosgrove, 54, of Lake Park on a charge of battery on a person age 65 or older.

Cosgrove was released from the Palm Beach County Jail on Tuesday after posting $5,000 bail.

According to an arrest report made public Tuesday, a 72-year-old man who works in the village’s Public Works Department told officers he was at the park taking pictures of the scenery and wildlife when Cosgrove approached and began to harass him him.

The employee told Cosgrove that taking photos was a hobby, police said. Cosgrove reportedly accused the man of photographing homes that line the west side of the park. He continued to ask questions as the employee walked away, police said. The employee then took a picture of Cosgrove, allegedly prompting Cosgrove to grab the employee around the neck and repeatedly hit him.

Police arrived to find Cosgrove being restrained by a witness as he tried to lunge at the employee, the arrest report said. Cosgrove reportedly then yelled that the older man was taking pictures of the rear of nearby homes. The report said Cosgrove appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during the incident.

The attack knocked out four of the village employee’s lower front teeth, the report said. Both men were evaluated by paramedics, but declined to be taken to a hospital.